Colorado Springs - Manitou Springs

We headed out to Colorado Springs last week, just an hours' drive from Denver. We stayed in Colorado Springs for 3 nights, and took the opportunity to tour around that area. All the places that we visited around Colorado Springs were so beautiful, we wished we could have stayed there for much longer!

I find myself using the words "beautiful", "breathtaking" and "awesome" a lot these days. Colorado is truly a very beautiful place with breathtaking sceneries. We are finding that the camera and video camera cannot capture enough the beauty of the natural landscapes here in Colorado. :)

First up, Manitou Springs. Manitou Springs is just located 4 miles (about 6.5km) west of Colorado Springs. There are still mineral springs throughout this town that are fed by the snows from the surrounding mountains.

Here's DS taking a feel of the cold, cold water at one of the mineral springs. This location was used by a mineral water company to bottle spring water. Of course, it's now a tourist site.

Behind us is a very interesting map of Manitou Springs. This map makes use of miniature houses, cars, buildings, etc. rather than just line drawings or pictures. This picture is also one of the few we have taken as a family of 4, with DD out of her infant carseat capsule for a change! :)

Many houses and building in Manitou Springs have light brownish walls and flat roofs, which are evidence of their Native American influence. "Manitou" is a Native American word for "spirit".

Interestingly (and we haven't figured out why yet), Manitou Springs seemed to be a placed where backpackers and "hippies" gather. In the 2 occasions that we went into Manitou Springs for lunch, we saw many these individuals gathering around chatting, playing games and generally having a good time, backpacks and dreadlocks in tow! :)